Baby Elle – A Birth Story via Surrogacy

When Brianne contacted me about photographing the birth of their daughter via surrogate, she shared a bit of their story with me. From that moment, I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I absolutely wanted to be a part of. Brianne and her husband, Scott, have waited seven years for this moment. Madie, their surrogate, was pregnant with their last embryo. I got to meet all of them for maternity photos, and it was clear that they had all become good friends through this process and were overjoyed that Baby Elle was getting close to making her debut.

After a false alarm during some nasty weather, an induction date that got bumped a day at the last minute (can you imagine getting the call that your induction has been moved just 4 short hours before you were slated to check in?!)…I arrived at 2:45 in the morning just in time for them to break Madie’s water. Madie labored on her side with a “peanut” exercise ball to help get Baby Elle into place. Madie’s husband was by her side the whole time, sporting a shirt Scott and Brianne had gotten him that said “Its Not Mine” – hilarious!

While we waited for things to get going, each of the couples exchanged gifts. Madie and her family had gotten Elle an ADORABLE book called “Elle’s ABC’s” and a baby book that will soon be full of photos! Brianne and Scott gave Madie and a scrapbook that documented everything from their first meeting together to the photographs of Madie’s growing belly with Baby Elle month by month.

Shortly after that, Madie got her epidural,which provided some much needed relaxation. And a much needed nap. 🙂 Everyone thought for sure the baby would be here by 6:30, instead 8:12am was when she arrived! She was absolutely perfect and has the sweetest cheeks. She was placed right into Brianne’s arms.

Even though I’ve seen them over a dozen times at this point, I still cry when I see the series of photos where Scott and Brianne lay eyes on their baby girl. Being in the room when Elle was born was nothing short of magical. Welcome to the world, baby Elle. You are SO loved!